EBM and Breast feeding??

**Angelmist♥** · 27-09-2005 16:52

Hi, I have currently got 6 wks to go with my 3rd child and REALLY want to breastfeed. My hubby (and 2 kids) on the other hand would like to be able to feed bubs as well.I have bought a breast pump but I was just wondering if anyone has successfully done both? Or is it too confusing on bubs? Any tips and advice would be great. Like do you start both as early as possible or leave the EBM til breastfeeding is well and truly established?

Thanx heaps
Nara

dh Kurt 28
ds Cody 5
ds Dylan 4
edd 08/11/05

**JanetF** · 27-09-2005 17:11

I love breastfeeding and did from day one!

It's really nice that your dh and other kids want to be involved in the baby's life and there are lots of ways to do this other than bottle feeding of ebm. Babies, as you know, need to be changed, bathed, cuddled, burped, carried around, held while sleeping, popped in a sling, and just generally loved and none of that needs boobs

There's also more washing and housework to be done while you're out of action and tucked up in bed getting to know the newbie and getting the bf down pat. Ah the bliss of a babymoon! Pumping if you really need spare milk around is great but it isn't necessary to enhance breastfeeding. What bubs and you really need is to be together and supported in this by the people around you. Later (after the first few months) when you are old hands at bf maybe then you can pump a bit and go out for the afternoon and leave bubs in capable hands. Those early weeks are crucial to learning to bf for both of you so I really recommend that you encourage your eager family to pick up all those other myriad of jobs and pleasures with a new babe and just get the bf right yourself. If you go along to an ABA meeting now, before bubs arrives, you will get lots of support and information and not be new when you go back for more info! It's attachment and position that really matter.

I hope you have a beautiful babymoon and begin a lovely new breastfeeding relationship that lasts a long time!
*hugs*

**Nickster** · 27-09-2005 18:29

Hi nara,
I really have to ditto everything JanetF has just said - she puts it all so well every time!
The most important thing to do in the early stages is to breastfeed your bub yourself, because the direct nipple stimulation helps with the establishment of your lovely milk supply in a way that expressing via pump can't (because there is no nipple stimulation). Ditto to everything else JanetF said.....
Enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy, how lucky you are to have a family so excited to meet their new baby!! Take care,

**xkwzit** · 28-09-2005 21:29

Hi Nara
It can creat nipple confusion if you try to introduce a bottle too early. My lactation consultant suggested waiting until 6 weeks before introducing a bottle and then get teats that are as close os possible to a human nipple (long and round in cross section - not othodontic type). Strictly, that should go for dummies as well if you plan on using them.

Having a baby that will take EBM is great, as you can get away for more than a few hours at a time, or continue bf when you're back at work. I'd see a lactation consultant for advice if you have any serious questions.

Cheers

**nemosmum** · 29-09-2005 12:56

I started expressing and introduced the bottle at about 3 weeks, I know it sounds very early but I needed a break (DS was feeding every 2 hours day/night) and I hated BF for the first 4 months! My DS took to the bottle with no problems and it never caused any nipple confusion, he still wanted the breast and it didnt effect my milk supply either. But I only did it every so often as I found it too time consuming to express and ended up preferring to just BF myself. Do what feels right for you and bub, listen to the experts(ABA etc) but follow what you feel to be the right decision for you and bubby.

**Artemis** · 29-09-2005 13:01

I think that it is really important to establish a supply first before introducing a bottle. We introduced one at about 2 months after we were well and truly in the swing of things, and my husband would do the odd feed. It is wonderful that he wants to be involved, but perhaps discussing with him the amazing benefits of breastfeeding and how important those initial few weeks are will help him understand. His job is really supporting you at those times.. my husband would always change our daughter and bring her to me. At night he would read us a book while we had a feed.. so all three of us snuggled on the couch or in bed.

**Trix** · 29-09-2005 13:07

Hi Nara,

I don't have personal experience with it, but I also have the same question for when my baby is born.

I have two friends with new bubs. One of them has a 3 week old that does bf at home and and ebm when she is out - she doesn't seem to have problems - the other friend has a 8 week old, who was 5 weeks premi, and she too had no probs with both!

I guess it all depends on your baby!

**Angelmist♥** · 29-09-2005 17:20

Thankyou everyone for your advice, I suppose we will just see how we go! As you do with all babies I suppose! I think feeding is such a bonding time for everyone involved (either breast or bottle) so I really do want to be able to express, not only for immediate family but hubby's parents and my sister loved bottle feeding both my older boys. Once again thanks everyone

Love Nara

Dh Kurt 28
Ds Cody 5
Ds Dylan 4
It's a girl woohoo edd. 8/11/05

**TwoBlue** · 01-10-2005 16:18

Hi Nara

I would just like to add my experience...
While i agree with others that those first days / weeks are very important, i was in a situation which meant i was NOT able to breastfeed my son for almost 10 days. The reason was because he was unwell and hooked up to all sorts of doodahs. He was being feed EBM from the very start until i was able to start breastfeeding....

the result of this was

* a GREAT breastfeeder from day 1 of starting
* NO nipple confusion AT ALL
* A GREAT supply of milk due to hand expressing and then using the pump (i was sucked dry each time hense creating a HUGE supply)
* a healthy wonderful little boy

I was happy with my breastfeeding but i continued to express extra milk after feeds so that i could let my DH feed him (as we had BOTH missed out on so much cuddle time with a sick bubba i felt it was important for us BOTH to be able to feed him) and also eventually so we could leave him with others.

It was a very successful process for me and if you would like to ask me anything else please feel free to drop me a PM.

Cheers

**veve** · 01-10-2005 16:27

Hey

I just wanted to quickly say THANK YOU to nara

my bubs is due in 6 weeks - and although I definately want to BF- I was also concerned about a) excluding DH , and b) getting an occasional feed break!!!

so thank you for starting the thread and getting all that wonderful info!!!!

xxxxx